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Terroristas Apaixonados: As Vidas Reais dos Radicais Islâmicos
Imagine a world where a boy’s dreams dictate the behavior of warriors in battle; where a young couple’s only release from forbidden love is death; where religious extremism, blind hatred, and endemic corruption combine to form a lethal ideology that can hijack a man’s life forever. This is the world of Terrorists in Love.
A former federal prosecutor and congressional investigator, Ken Ballen spent five years as a pollster and a researcher with rare access—via local government officials, journalists, and clerics—interviewing more than a hundred Islamic radicals, asking them searching questions about their inner lives, deepest faith, and what it was that ultimately drove them to jihad. Intimate and enlightening, Terrorists in Love opens a fresh window into the realm of violent extremism as Ballen profiles six of these men—from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia—revealing a universe of militancy so strange that it seems suffused with magical realism.
Mystical dreams and visions, the demonic figure of the United States, intense sexual repression, crumbling family and tribal structures—the story that emerges here is both shocking and breathtakingly complex. Terrorists in Love introduces us to men like Ahmad Al-Shayea, an Al Qaeda suicide bomber who survives his attack only to become fiercely pro-American; Zeddy, who trains terrorists while being paid by America’s ally, the Pakistani Army; and Malik, Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s personal seer. Lifting the veil on the mysterious world of Muslim holy warriors, Ballen probes these men’s deepest secrets, revealing the motivations behind their deadly missions and delivering a startling new exploration of what drives them to violence and why there is yet an unexpected hope for peace. An extraordinarily gifted listener and storyteller, Ballen takes us where no one has dared to go—deep into the secret heart of Islamic fundamentalism, providing a glimpse at the lives, loves, frustrations, and methods of those whose mission it is to destroy us.
A former federal prosecutor and congressional investigator, Ken Ballen spent five years as a pollster and a researcher with rare access—via local government officials, journalists, and clerics—interviewing more than a hundred Islamic radicals, asking them searching questions about their inner lives, deepest faith, and what it was that ultimately drove them to jihad. Intimate and enlightening, Terrorists in Love opens a fresh window into the realm of violent extremism as Ballen profiles six of these men—from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia—revealing a universe of militancy so strange that it seems suffused with magical realism.
Mystical dreams and visions, the demonic figure of the United States, intense sexual repression, crumbling family and tribal structures—the story that emerges here is both shocking and breathtakingly complex. Terrorists in Love introduces us to men like Ahmad Al-Shayea, an Al Qaeda suicide bomber who survives his attack only to become fiercely pro-American; Zeddy, who trains terrorists while being paid by America’s ally, the Pakistani Army; and Malik, Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s personal seer. Lifting the veil on the mysterious world of Muslim holy warriors, Ballen probes these men’s deepest secrets, revealing the motivations behind their deadly missions and delivering a startling new exploration of what drives them to violence and why there is yet an unexpected hope for peace. An extraordinarily gifted listener and storyteller, Ballen takes us where no one has dared to go—deep into the secret heart of Islamic fundamentalism, providing a glimpse at the lives, loves, frustrations, and methods of those whose mission it is to destroy us.
389 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 9, 2011
I have to admit, the title Terrorists in Love didn’t inspire me to read this book. But the subtitle, The Real Lives of Islamic Radicals, caught my attention very effectively. I checked on the author’s credentials—wouldn’t want those real lives to be fake—and found him to be a well-respected federal prosecutor who served in law enforcement, international relations, intelligence oversight and congressional investigations, etc., a man with experience prosecuting cases of organized crime, international narcotics, and illegal financing for Middle Eastern terrorists. By now I was guessing this would be a well-researched and honest book, and was delighted to get the chance to read it.
Terrorists in Love really is well-researched and honest, with some serious surprises, very human terrorists, unexpected humor and pathos, and genuine cause for alarm. The author has used his position, connections and interviewing skills to obtain invitations to talk with a selection of terrorists, from the first suicide-bomber to survive (the aptly named Bernie), to a man who stood beside Osama Bin Laden, to a surprisingly personable royal going to university and wondering how to follow God and change the world.
There are no simple conclusions in this book, just as there are no simple people in the world. Lost love, broken hearts and hopelessness are as likely to send a young man to jihad as declarations of war. And communication between people of the same culture can be just as hard as across cultures. The fact that Ken Ballen is a Jew interviewing Muslims adds an interesting depth to the stories. He’s American, interviewing Saudi Arabians, Pakistanis and Afghan rebels. And he’s an honest man looking for truth.
The stories are very well-ordered, leading readers on a journey of discovery through pathos and humor, to danger and terror, to a fascinating dream of resolution. The visions of weak and strong drive many actions, but by the end one young man’s tale may well haunt all readers with its promise of hope and a future. I wish him well. I wish Ken Ballen and all involved in Terror Free Tomorrow well. And I love this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I can honestly say I’m glad I didn’t let the title put me off, and having finished the read, I realize the title makes perfect sense.
Terrorists in Love really is well-researched and honest, with some serious surprises, very human terrorists, unexpected humor and pathos, and genuine cause for alarm. The author has used his position, connections and interviewing skills to obtain invitations to talk with a selection of terrorists, from the first suicide-bomber to survive (the aptly named Bernie), to a man who stood beside Osama Bin Laden, to a surprisingly personable royal going to university and wondering how to follow God and change the world.
There are no simple conclusions in this book, just as there are no simple people in the world. Lost love, broken hearts and hopelessness are as likely to send a young man to jihad as declarations of war. And communication between people of the same culture can be just as hard as across cultures. The fact that Ken Ballen is a Jew interviewing Muslims adds an interesting depth to the stories. He’s American, interviewing Saudi Arabians, Pakistanis and Afghan rebels. And he’s an honest man looking for truth.
The stories are very well-ordered, leading readers on a journey of discovery through pathos and humor, to danger and terror, to a fascinating dream of resolution. The visions of weak and strong drive many actions, but by the end one young man’s tale may well haunt all readers with its promise of hope and a future. I wish him well. I wish Ken Ballen and all involved in Terror Free Tomorrow well. And I love this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I can honestly say I’m glad I didn’t let the title put me off, and having finished the read, I realize the title makes perfect sense.
May 24, 2012
**I received my copy thanks to goodreads' first reads.** In Terrorists in Love, Ken Ballen, a Jewish, American, former federal prosecutor leverages his relationships with journalists, clerics and others in order to get close to six Islamic jihadis. Each interviewee comes from a different background, and has a different reason for engaging in terrorist activities. Surprising, for most of them, it has very little to do with America-it starts with anger at a family member, the loss of a loved one to unfair traditions, or the desire to be accepted-and Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders offer an appealing outlet for frustration, and an easy target.
I remain shocked by Ballen's success with this project. While some of the men he interviews are more wayward and confused boys than diabolical sociopaths, there is no doubt that several of the people he talked to would easily wish him dead. Yet, somehow, an American who once prosecuted terrorists and is Jewish to boot, is able to gain the trust and confidence of these individuals. It was thrilling to get a glimpse inside the minds of these men, but it revealed a terrifying truth: there is no one reason why people turn to terrorism, there are a million. And that truth means that there is not just one way to stop it, we will need a million. But if a man like Ken Ballen-who represents all that Islamic terrorist allegedly hate- can not only survive his encounters, but walk away as friends, then perhaps there is hope after all.
I remain shocked by Ballen's success with this project. While some of the men he interviews are more wayward and confused boys than diabolical sociopaths, there is no doubt that several of the people he talked to would easily wish him dead. Yet, somehow, an American who once prosecuted terrorists and is Jewish to boot, is able to gain the trust and confidence of these individuals. It was thrilling to get a glimpse inside the minds of these men, but it revealed a terrifying truth: there is no one reason why people turn to terrorism, there are a million. And that truth means that there is not just one way to stop it, we will need a million. But if a man like Ken Ballen-who represents all that Islamic terrorist allegedly hate- can not only survive his encounters, but walk away as friends, then perhaps there is hope after all.
December 7, 2016
This is, I think, an extremely necessary book. The author is a brave man to interview these ex-radicals, some that once hated Americans so badly they would have murdered him had they the chance.
The best thing about this book is the human way these radicals are displayed. By the end of the book, you find yourself growing attached to these men, if only just a little bit. Some stories are more sad than others, some are far more disturbing--one story made me actually put the book down and take a break, it was so intense.
Despite the subject matter, this book is fairly easy to read. If I hadn't been busy with other things I probably would have read it in a day. I did get mixed up sometimes with a lot of the cultural names and sometimes they sounded a lot alike, but at least I can't say I didn't learn anything.
This book set out to change America's view of radicals, in my opinion it takes them down a peg from cartoon-y, evil villains with nothing on their minds but destruction and instead humanizes them into, well, humans. Every man had his purpose, and although I didn't agree with that purpose, it became more understandable. It's a great read for anyone interested in the inner workings of terrorism or even someone just interested in Middle Eastern culture.
The best thing about this book is the human way these radicals are displayed. By the end of the book, you find yourself growing attached to these men, if only just a little bit. Some stories are more sad than others, some are far more disturbing--one story made me actually put the book down and take a break, it was so intense.
Despite the subject matter, this book is fairly easy to read. If I hadn't been busy with other things I probably would have read it in a day. I did get mixed up sometimes with a lot of the cultural names and sometimes they sounded a lot alike, but at least I can't say I didn't learn anything.
This book set out to change America's view of radicals, in my opinion it takes them down a peg from cartoon-y, evil villains with nothing on their minds but destruction and instead humanizes them into, well, humans. Every man had his purpose, and although I didn't agree with that purpose, it became more understandable. It's a great read for anyone interested in the inner workings of terrorism or even someone just interested in Middle Eastern culture.
October 28, 2011
This is one of the best books I've read this year.
This book took me inside some of the terrorists' minds and made me realize things about them that I had never thought of before. It's unbelieavable and yet true that most of them do that because of " love ". Love for a cause, love for someone, love for a belief... all through Islam.
It seems to me that most of them have different feelings towards Islam, however, all of them are really committed to it in a very passionate way as we all know. In my personal opinion, the teachings of the Qur'an are often interpreted in different ways. In certain cases, the way it will benefit that person's thoughts and will. There are terrorist groups that use it to harm others, with the goal of exterminating the infidels from the face of the earth so the world can be pious again. My conclusion of all the things I read in this book is that confusion, passion, love, need of a purpose and lack of guidance can lead an unstable person to choose the wrong path.
This book took me inside some of the terrorists' minds and made me realize things about them that I had never thought of before. It's unbelieavable and yet true that most of them do that because of " love ". Love for a cause, love for someone, love for a belief... all through Islam.
It seems to me that most of them have different feelings towards Islam, however, all of them are really committed to it in a very passionate way as we all know. In my personal opinion, the teachings of the Qur'an are often interpreted in different ways. In certain cases, the way it will benefit that person's thoughts and will. There are terrorist groups that use it to harm others, with the goal of exterminating the infidels from the face of the earth so the world can be pious again. My conclusion of all the things I read in this book is that confusion, passion, love, need of a purpose and lack of guidance can lead an unstable person to choose the wrong path.
January 26, 2016
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
After reading and enjoying The Last Refuge (by Gregory Johnsen) (very good book) I wanted to stay on the general subject matter so I went directly to Terrorists in Love. I thought it would give me a sense of the motivations of jihadis. It kind of did but mostly did not.
Ballen tells the stories of six so-called Islamic radicals in their own words and that’s where I had lots of trouble with the book. Every story was overly long and repetitive and had the same flowery, unctuous phrasings. (Yes, they're probably very authentic but it does not make for good or interesting reading.) And I think “stories” is the correct term to use because ultimately they felt merely like tales rather than anything more penetrating.
I appreciate Ballen’s efforts and the risks he took to create this book but ultimately it fell short of the mark. The Forever War (by Dexter Filkins) (excellent book); Night Draws Near (by Anthony Shadid) (first 100 pages were tough to get through but the rest was excellent) and Every Man in this Village is a Liar (by Megan Stack) (flawed but overall very good book) were simply better at providing Arab perspectives.
Next up is The Wrong Enemy (by Carlotta Gall).
After reading and enjoying The Last Refuge (by Gregory Johnsen) (very good book) I wanted to stay on the general subject matter so I went directly to Terrorists in Love. I thought it would give me a sense of the motivations of jihadis. It kind of did but mostly did not.
Ballen tells the stories of six so-called Islamic radicals in their own words and that’s where I had lots of trouble with the book. Every story was overly long and repetitive and had the same flowery, unctuous phrasings. (Yes, they're probably very authentic but it does not make for good or interesting reading.) And I think “stories” is the correct term to use because ultimately they felt merely like tales rather than anything more penetrating.
I appreciate Ballen’s efforts and the risks he took to create this book but ultimately it fell short of the mark. The Forever War (by Dexter Filkins) (excellent book); Night Draws Near (by Anthony Shadid) (first 100 pages were tough to get through but the rest was excellent) and Every Man in this Village is a Liar (by Megan Stack) (flawed but overall very good book) were simply better at providing Arab perspectives.
Next up is The Wrong Enemy (by Carlotta Gall).
March 31, 2012
Interesting book. Terrible title. The author conducts in depth interviews of six young men who have (or attempted to) engage in terrorism in Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iraq. Their stories are fascinating and certainly put to lie the simplistic explanations for terrorist motivation that we often get here in the United States. Of course, that really shouldn't come as a surprise considering how little we Americans know about international affairs.
My criticism, however, is that I wonder how representative these stories are. The author interviewed lots and lots of people but chose only to tell these six men's stories. He indicates he did this because he found these stories compelling and much of their accounts could be confirmed. I understand that but I would have liked a more systematic look at terrorism in the region and its motivations. I also found that, at times, we got a little more of the author's own personal opinion than necessary.
All that being said, however, this was an interesting read that exposed me to a culture that is both fascinating and very different than my own.
My criticism, however, is that I wonder how representative these stories are. The author interviewed lots and lots of people but chose only to tell these six men's stories. He indicates he did this because he found these stories compelling and much of their accounts could be confirmed. I understand that but I would have liked a more systematic look at terrorism in the region and its motivations. I also found that, at times, we got a little more of the author's own personal opinion than necessary.
All that being said, however, this was an interesting read that exposed me to a culture that is both fascinating and very different than my own.
December 2, 2014
I'm torn as to what to rate this book, so I am giving it a middle-of-the-road 3 star rating. I am glad I read this book. I found it very interesting to learn why these young men and woman turned to terrorism in the name of Islam. I also found it fascinating to learn why many of them became disillusioned with the leaders of al quaeda and the taliban; the same reasons we have become disillusioned with our political leaders: it becomes all about greed and retaining power once they've reached powerful leadership positions. With that said, this is just not a book that I feel I can highly recommend. This book was educational and enlightening, but I just never engaged with it. Read it if you are interested in learning a little about the other side. You are relying on what the interviewees have told the author. Are they truthful? I'd like to think so, but these are their personal stories. I do think this book should be required reading among the young men and women in the middle east who are considering this course of action. It could actually make a difference.
September 9, 2012
The title is a misleading. The "in love" concept is present, but not a theme throughout and Kemal, whose interview comprises 1/3 of the book, committed no act of terrorism and never joined a terrorist cell.
The six men profiled, however, may be representative of those attracted to jihad. One of the common threads is the abuse suffered in childhood, the only exception being the one who committed no terrorist act; he had neglectful parents but a loving nanny.
The childhoods are brutal with self-centered fathers, relentless peer pressure and sadistic educators. Through them you can see a society where fathers, the peers and the educators weaken a boy's self esteem, warp his sense of manhood, and deny him his very human feelings towards his sexuality. Add to this guns and righteous fundamentalism... and there is no reason to wonder at the violence, both civic and domestic.
The story of Ahmed, perhaps, illustrates how jihad gets its cannon fodder. The story of Abby and Miryam, the most true to the title, explained for me, a probable cause of women who chose to be suicide bombers. Zeddy, who may never have been in love, was one of the more interesting interviews for the light he shed on Pakistani politics. Kemal's story is interesting due to the nature of his arrest and for the obsequious way he was treated.
It is interesting that the Saudi government runs a re-hab center for terrorists. This "Care Center" provides counseling, sports and job training. When the men are rehabilitated their release includes a dowry. Further evidence that the women of Saudi Arabia are used a prizes... pawns.. and tokens for men with violent pasts. The men yearn for freedom, and have no idea that with this dowry, someone else may be getting a life sentence.
One can't help but wonder what happens now to the interviewees. Zeddy expects the publication will spell his death. In Saudi circles, Kemal should not be hard to identify, but he has the means to leave the country. There could be consequences for Malik and Shaheed as well.
For those with further interest in how a terrorist is made an interesting read is My Life with the Taliban (Columbia/Hurst). This is the story of an Afghani terrorist who rose with Mullah Omar's Taliban.
The six men profiled, however, may be representative of those attracted to jihad. One of the common threads is the abuse suffered in childhood, the only exception being the one who committed no terrorist act; he had neglectful parents but a loving nanny.
The childhoods are brutal with self-centered fathers, relentless peer pressure and sadistic educators. Through them you can see a society where fathers, the peers and the educators weaken a boy's self esteem, warp his sense of manhood, and deny him his very human feelings towards his sexuality. Add to this guns and righteous fundamentalism... and there is no reason to wonder at the violence, both civic and domestic.
The story of Ahmed, perhaps, illustrates how jihad gets its cannon fodder. The story of Abby and Miryam, the most true to the title, explained for me, a probable cause of women who chose to be suicide bombers. Zeddy, who may never have been in love, was one of the more interesting interviews for the light he shed on Pakistani politics. Kemal's story is interesting due to the nature of his arrest and for the obsequious way he was treated.
It is interesting that the Saudi government runs a re-hab center for terrorists. This "Care Center" provides counseling, sports and job training. When the men are rehabilitated their release includes a dowry. Further evidence that the women of Saudi Arabia are used a prizes... pawns.. and tokens for men with violent pasts. The men yearn for freedom, and have no idea that with this dowry, someone else may be getting a life sentence.
One can't help but wonder what happens now to the interviewees. Zeddy expects the publication will spell his death. In Saudi circles, Kemal should not be hard to identify, but he has the means to leave the country. There could be consequences for Malik and Shaheed as well.
For those with further interest in how a terrorist is made an interesting read is My Life with the Taliban (Columbia/Hurst). This is the story of an Afghani terrorist who rose with Mullah Omar's Taliban.
January 9, 2022
Terrorists in Love (TiL) is interesting because the author, Mr Ballen, doesn't rely on studies, profiles, etc., for "insight" to the mind of the terrorist - he talks to them. The six stories we get in TiL offer, for the most part, comfortable anecdotes - most of these stories end the way we'd want them to end, with the bad guy seeing the error of his ways.
While I'm sure there is truth in these stories, I'm of the same mind as several reviewers on this site. I hoped to see these stories placed in the broader context of the 100ish interviews Mr Ballen conducted. I get no sense of how "real life" TiL is without this context. I can only assume that these six are very much outliers - if the experiences related in TiL were more common among terrorists, wouldn't we see terrorism as a means of achieving political ends collapse under its own moral and ethical burden?
I applaud the dialog and hope for much more of the same so that our policy makers act from the point of view of knowing their enemies rather than whatever they currently do. I have no doubts that someone is sifting through this information in order to put it to good use. I'd like to see that some day....
While I'm sure there is truth in these stories, I'm of the same mind as several reviewers on this site. I hoped to see these stories placed in the broader context of the 100ish interviews Mr Ballen conducted. I get no sense of how "real life" TiL is without this context. I can only assume that these six are very much outliers - if the experiences related in TiL were more common among terrorists, wouldn't we see terrorism as a means of achieving political ends collapse under its own moral and ethical burden?
I applaud the dialog and hope for much more of the same so that our policy makers act from the point of view of knowing their enemies rather than whatever they currently do. I have no doubts that someone is sifting through this information in order to put it to good use. I'd like to see that some day....
November 20, 2014
This is a must read. The title seems misleading at first but after revealing how all 6 case studies search for love (be it girlfriend, boyfriend, or Islam) and end up as terrorists, it is right on. This book illustrates how Islamic religious writings are literally followed by the Muslim populations. The importance of dreams is deeply embedded in the culture and are believed to be a guidepost for human action. The terrorist interpretation of the Qur'an sends them on a mission to eliminate all infidels through violence. It appears some reformed Islamic warriors feel the jihad can be peaceful.
Mr. Ballen has presented us with a view of a society so different from the United States. His expose of the Saudi aristocracy is in itself worthy of your reading time. It will be interesting to see if the 6 graduates from the 'Care Center' can throw off the radical fundamentalists cloak of Islam for ever. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written and researched book.
Mr. Ballen has presented us with a view of a society so different from the United States. His expose of the Saudi aristocracy is in itself worthy of your reading time. It will be interesting to see if the 6 graduates from the 'Care Center' can throw off the radical fundamentalists cloak of Islam for ever. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written and researched book.
February 5, 2012
I recieved this book as a part of the Goodreads First Reads early reviewer program.
I'm almost finished with this book. It is both enlightening, warm and heartbreaking at the same time. My heart goes out to each of the interviewed persons in the book, and what they've goine through for love. Its absolutely heartbreaking that they feel so much love, but because of religion, their circumstances put them in situation that they can't act upon it. This lack of freedom causes unspeakable outcomes, as they do things that appear to be their only options, in this limited world view.
Just another example of what's wrong with religion. Not just Islam, but all religions, as they cloud judgement and limit the human experience.
I definatly suggest this book. Even though it'll make you cry, it's great in the sense that these people loved as much as they did.
I'm almost finished with this book. It is both enlightening, warm and heartbreaking at the same time. My heart goes out to each of the interviewed persons in the book, and what they've goine through for love. Its absolutely heartbreaking that they feel so much love, but because of religion, their circumstances put them in situation that they can't act upon it. This lack of freedom causes unspeakable outcomes, as they do things that appear to be their only options, in this limited world view.
Just another example of what's wrong with religion. Not just Islam, but all religions, as they cloud judgement and limit the human experience.
I definatly suggest this book. Even though it'll make you cry, it's great in the sense that these people loved as much as they did.
May 24, 2012
Frightening and enlightening, this book opened my eyes to so much I didn't know. The stories are real and told in their own words. From Saudi Arabia to Indonesia and America their lives come alive. True voices of Islamic radicals living today in our world and how easily young men and women can be used as weapons, their faith twisted and shaped with isolation and loneliness, into violence and destruction. I really knew very little and what I thought I did know was far from reality. It has made me look at our ' war on terrorism " and presence in the Middle East with much more information.
In addition, the amazing features of my Kindle Fire allowed me to easily look up many of the words and references I didn't understand-and there are a lot.
This book is a must read for all Americans interested in our world today.
In addition, the amazing features of my Kindle Fire allowed me to easily look up many of the words and references I didn't understand-and there are a lot.
This book is a must read for all Americans interested in our world today.
June 19, 2012
I got this book through Goodreads First Reads.
This book was very eye opening. Ken Ballen, the author of this book, embodies what jihadis hate the most. However, it's amazing to see how much they open up to him to let him know their background, what happened to them, and how they ended up as jihadis. You would expect them to be angry, hateful people but this book shows that that is not always the case. It shows that sometimes they are led to it because of need and because of ignorance.
I really enjoyed this book because it allows us to see the other side of the story. It's a good read if you are interested in jihadis and counter-terrorism.
This book was very eye opening. Ken Ballen, the author of this book, embodies what jihadis hate the most. However, it's amazing to see how much they open up to him to let him know their background, what happened to them, and how they ended up as jihadis. You would expect them to be angry, hateful people but this book shows that that is not always the case. It shows that sometimes they are led to it because of need and because of ignorance.
I really enjoyed this book because it allows us to see the other side of the story. It's a good read if you are interested in jihadis and counter-terrorism.
August 10, 2013
I did receive a free copy on Goodreads. I wanted to read this book based upon the title. I never got through the book, even as a captive down a dark hallway locked in my office on my lunch break with no where to go. Sad really. I thought the concept if the book was great and the content was just a little too dry for me to pick up on.
March 20, 2012
This will change everything you thought you knew about terrorist. The author has spent years interviewing jihadis and he tells the story of several of them. Hearing their story gives some insight into how we could reduce the number of terrorists out there. Amazing stories, not at all what I expected.
June 15, 2012
This is a fascinating book. The author did interviews with Islamic radicals and told the stories that led them to become terrorists. It is an honest and many-faceted look at people whose stories are oversimplified. These are not the stories you've been told.
August 8, 2011
Fascinating stuff. Heartbreaking portrait of homophobia and arranged marriages, among other things.
Want to read
October 6, 2011Heard an author interview on NPR.
December 1, 2013
The back cover sounds more interesting then what was delivered. It doesn't tell a story, it tells the background of 6 people...
October 26, 2020
I was looking for a documentary, instead I got “Chicken Soup for the Soul” for terrorists.
April 15, 2018
In America, our ideas of what motivates people to become terrorists in the name of Islam is typically confused. The right tends to assume all Muslims are bad people or because Islam is a religion of war, and the left tends to assume that they are only violent because America is attacking them. The truth is a messy mix of these ideas.
Ken Ballens presentation of his interviews with a mix of self-professed former jihadis was incredibly illuminating. This work paints a picture looking for love but do to either cultural, religious, social, or political reasons, can't find it in the place they want to.
"Only the pen shall lead God's way." this sentiment that one of the former extremists expressed rings very true: education is the only way to combat religious terrorism or any type of religious extremism for that matter. In Islam's case, more so than other religions, any type of reform for peace must be done from within. All of the interviewees expressed that.
I'm inspired to continue to learn about this culture. I share the belief of many of the former jihadis interviewed in this book that Islam needs reform, however, I know that I can only play a supporting role in that process.
Truly a moving read.
Ken Ballens presentation of his interviews with a mix of self-professed former jihadis was incredibly illuminating. This work paints a picture looking for love but do to either cultural, religious, social, or political reasons, can't find it in the place they want to.
"Only the pen shall lead God's way." this sentiment that one of the former extremists expressed rings very true: education is the only way to combat religious terrorism or any type of religious extremism for that matter. In Islam's case, more so than other religions, any type of reform for peace must be done from within. All of the interviewees expressed that.
I'm inspired to continue to learn about this culture. I share the belief of many of the former jihadis interviewed in this book that Islam needs reform, however, I know that I can only play a supporting role in that process.
Truly a moving read.
September 30, 2012
Over a decade after the initial explosion of interest in terrorism and jihadi studies, the interested but uninitiated American still has difficulty finding sources that can adequately convey the complex relationship between radical Islam, Muslim communities, and the Arab world. There is certainly no shortage of jingoist fear-mongering diatribes from self-described patriots seeking to make a quick buck off American fears of sleeper cells and sharia law. Needless to say, these sources offer little in the way of nuance or thoughtful presentation of the Muslim world.
Then there are the extended works of journalism that focus on Al-Qaeda and its long war against the United States. This genre, represented by Lawrence Wrights "The Looming Tower" and Peter Bergen's numerous works, offer a more professional and thorough evaluation of their subjects, but are limited by the narrow focus on the prominent terrorist groups and attacks that have already made headlines around the world. They're solid resources for someone looking for a bit of background and historical perspective on the main players in radical Islam, but they do little to put those figures in the context of the societies and the politics from which they emerged.
The third category consists of the sophisticated academic analyses of terrorist philosophy, tactics, and culture. While this category provides far more context and insight than the first two, its appeal is limited by the lack of blockbuster bestsellers (indeed, many of the best works are scholarly articles rather than books), the density of the analysis, and the foreign backgrounds of several of the best authors. Even an American scholar like Bruce Hoffman isn't as widely read as he should be, so it shouldn't be a surprise that brilliant European scholars like Thomas Hegghammer and Brynjar Lia lack name-recognition outside of certain circles. But these sources don't really satisfy the public's need for a non-technical primer on the conflicts and contradictions that exist within the Muslim world.
The first book I read that managed to convey those conflicts and contradictions to the broader public was Steve Coll's "The Bin Ladens," a terrific history of that family and the way its members were intertwined with the schizophrenic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the economic and cultural power of the Western world. But while I thoroughly enjoyed "The Bin Ladens," Coll's book is a third-person history that doesn't grab you like a first-person narrative. It's also a fairly long history that covers many decades, so it heavily relies on the "hook" of reading about Osama's family and trying to understand the line of ancestry that produced one of the modern world's most infamous criminals.
"Terrorists in Love," despite its mediocre title, is arguably a better introduction to the phenomenon of Islamic radicalism than anything I have read before. Paradoxically, that introduction is accomplished through a story of personal narratives that feature radicalism and violent jihad as a supporting character, rather than the main protagonist. The appeal of jihad and violence is mediated through each narrator's own life and circumstances, which prevents the reader from being trapped in a simplistic vision of one-size-fits-all religious hatred and ignorance. This mediation allows a reader to understand that how universally human events like lost love and youthful indiscretions can leave a person vulnerable to jihadist rhetoric, or how specific political circumstances like the decades of warfare along the Afghan-Pakistan border can influence entire generations of Islamic youth.
Some of these stories leave the reader with a window of hope for the future, while others are deeply disturbing and indicative of a core group of true believers in violent jihad. But all of the stories bring out the humanity and unique backgrounds of their narrators, which is perhaps the greatest strength of the book. Although the author often becomes an important character in these stories, the interactions between the narrators and the author (an American Jew and former federal prosecutor) reinforces the importance of personal interactions and a recognition of a shared humanity. There is a lyricism and otherworldly element to these stories that is almost Biblical in nature - many of their settings and events will strike the Western reader as utterly foreign, even though the narrators reveal themselves to be very human in their reactions to the people and circumstances they encounter.
Some of the other Goodreads reviews of this book have complained about the lack of a more scholarly, systematic study of jihadist ideology and motivations. But as I have already noted, there is a small but growing field of academic literature that addresses that concern. This book, although driven exclusively by personal narratives and anecdotes, provides a far more accessible set of vignettes about radical Islam as it actually motivates (or fails to motivate) individuals. As a vehicle for educating the American public at large, "Terrorists in Love" is far more useful than something like Brynjar Lia's "Architect of Global Jihad," even if the latter represents a more scholarly approach to radical Islamist ideology. This book is a must-read for the 99.9% of Americans who are not already fully immersed in counterterrorism studies and can be recommended solely on the strength of the intimate stories which the author has faithfully collected and transcribed for a broader audience.
Then there are the extended works of journalism that focus on Al-Qaeda and its long war against the United States. This genre, represented by Lawrence Wrights "The Looming Tower" and Peter Bergen's numerous works, offer a more professional and thorough evaluation of their subjects, but are limited by the narrow focus on the prominent terrorist groups and attacks that have already made headlines around the world. They're solid resources for someone looking for a bit of background and historical perspective on the main players in radical Islam, but they do little to put those figures in the context of the societies and the politics from which they emerged.
The third category consists of the sophisticated academic analyses of terrorist philosophy, tactics, and culture. While this category provides far more context and insight than the first two, its appeal is limited by the lack of blockbuster bestsellers (indeed, many of the best works are scholarly articles rather than books), the density of the analysis, and the foreign backgrounds of several of the best authors. Even an American scholar like Bruce Hoffman isn't as widely read as he should be, so it shouldn't be a surprise that brilliant European scholars like Thomas Hegghammer and Brynjar Lia lack name-recognition outside of certain circles. But these sources don't really satisfy the public's need for a non-technical primer on the conflicts and contradictions that exist within the Muslim world.
The first book I read that managed to convey those conflicts and contradictions to the broader public was Steve Coll's "The Bin Ladens," a terrific history of that family and the way its members were intertwined with the schizophrenic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the economic and cultural power of the Western world. But while I thoroughly enjoyed "The Bin Ladens," Coll's book is a third-person history that doesn't grab you like a first-person narrative. It's also a fairly long history that covers many decades, so it heavily relies on the "hook" of reading about Osama's family and trying to understand the line of ancestry that produced one of the modern world's most infamous criminals.
"Terrorists in Love," despite its mediocre title, is arguably a better introduction to the phenomenon of Islamic radicalism than anything I have read before. Paradoxically, that introduction is accomplished through a story of personal narratives that feature radicalism and violent jihad as a supporting character, rather than the main protagonist. The appeal of jihad and violence is mediated through each narrator's own life and circumstances, which prevents the reader from being trapped in a simplistic vision of one-size-fits-all religious hatred and ignorance. This mediation allows a reader to understand that how universally human events like lost love and youthful indiscretions can leave a person vulnerable to jihadist rhetoric, or how specific political circumstances like the decades of warfare along the Afghan-Pakistan border can influence entire generations of Islamic youth.
Some of these stories leave the reader with a window of hope for the future, while others are deeply disturbing and indicative of a core group of true believers in violent jihad. But all of the stories bring out the humanity and unique backgrounds of their narrators, which is perhaps the greatest strength of the book. Although the author often becomes an important character in these stories, the interactions between the narrators and the author (an American Jew and former federal prosecutor) reinforces the importance of personal interactions and a recognition of a shared humanity. There is a lyricism and otherworldly element to these stories that is almost Biblical in nature - many of their settings and events will strike the Western reader as utterly foreign, even though the narrators reveal themselves to be very human in their reactions to the people and circumstances they encounter.
Some of the other Goodreads reviews of this book have complained about the lack of a more scholarly, systematic study of jihadist ideology and motivations. But as I have already noted, there is a small but growing field of academic literature that addresses that concern. This book, although driven exclusively by personal narratives and anecdotes, provides a far more accessible set of vignettes about radical Islam as it actually motivates (or fails to motivate) individuals. As a vehicle for educating the American public at large, "Terrorists in Love" is far more useful than something like Brynjar Lia's "Architect of Global Jihad," even if the latter represents a more scholarly approach to radical Islamist ideology. This book is a must-read for the 99.9% of Americans who are not already fully immersed in counterterrorism studies and can be recommended solely on the strength of the intimate stories which the author has faithfully collected and transcribed for a broader audience.
March 7, 2017
Enlightening perspective as to reasons why individuals cross over to the dark side of terrorism....typically due to a dysfunctional reason as much as a religious reason.
January 6, 2025
The stories of 6 jihadists that bring a humanity to those whom we would not normally hear from.
Read
October 14, 2025DNF. Very good, but I don’t have the stomach for this level of gruesomeness at the moment. Will likely pick up again.
November 3, 2011
Terrorists in Love is an incredible piece of work. It isn't often that I read books I think everyone should read; this is one of those rare books. Ken Ballen presents us a glimpse into the journeys of six men into and (in most cases) out of jihad and does so with a level of respect and empathy that, while never excusing their actions, shows great understanding of the reasons why these men chose to walk their respective paths. I've heard many people hypothesising why people are drawn to jihad. This is more than hypothesising. Ballen has befriended these men and does a wonderful job of recounting the forces in their lives that drove them to terrorism.
Some of their lives are heartbreaking. Really, all of their lives are heartbreaking. Ahmad seeks out Al Qaeda essentially to repent for spending his youth smoking hash, playing video games, and harassing girls. The life he lives as a teen is far from debauched, yet he is convinced he's condemned to hell for his sins. The only option for redemption he sees open to him is jihad. Even so, he has no desire to be a suicide bomber and is tricked into driving a fuel truck rigged with explosives.
There are several commonalities between the men profiled. All of them seek out jihad because of deep religious conviction combined with a hopelessness about their current situation. Several of the men experience "true dreams" that prove pivotal in their lives. All of them come to see significant flaws in the terrorist organisations they join--the manipulation of themselves and others, the favouritism shown those in positions of leadership and their families. Yet in the end their devotion to jihad runs the gamut, from fiercely anti-jihad to fiercely pro-jihad, to fiercely seeking personal jihad (and noting the violent jihad espoused by Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden and his ilk is a shortcut to heaven compared to the much tougher task of changing yourself).
The writing is at times almost florid, though the evocativeness of the language pulled me into the stories rather than distracting from them. This could feel like a novel if it weren't so disturbingly real. While ultimately this is a hopeful book, several stories are paranoia-inducing. Zeddy's account is a chilling reminder that we as a nation are not safe. Remember when Pakistan got so upset after we took it upon ourselves to kill Osama bin Laden? Remember how bin Laden was found in Abbottabad, a town that also just coincidentally a Pakistani military garrison town and home to its military academy? Zeddy's account makes it clear bin Laden's whereabouts weren't so coincidental and Obama's decision to not alert our "allies" was a necessary one. His is by far the most frightening account as it reveals how deeply terrorists have burrowed into the government of a nuclear power.
The six men profiled come from a very different culture, and while Ballen shows us that culture and the impact it has on these men, he also highlights their humanity, those common drives that we all share: for love, acceptance, security, redemption. It is a testament to the power of empathy and friendship that this American Jew can gain access to and provide such an insightful set of accounts.
This book was provided by a Goodreads give away.
Some of their lives are heartbreaking. Really, all of their lives are heartbreaking. Ahmad seeks out Al Qaeda essentially to repent for spending his youth smoking hash, playing video games, and harassing girls. The life he lives as a teen is far from debauched, yet he is convinced he's condemned to hell for his sins. The only option for redemption he sees open to him is jihad. Even so, he has no desire to be a suicide bomber and is tricked into driving a fuel truck rigged with explosives.
There are several commonalities between the men profiled. All of them seek out jihad because of deep religious conviction combined with a hopelessness about their current situation. Several of the men experience "true dreams" that prove pivotal in their lives. All of them come to see significant flaws in the terrorist organisations they join--the manipulation of themselves and others, the favouritism shown those in positions of leadership and their families. Yet in the end their devotion to jihad runs the gamut, from fiercely anti-jihad to fiercely pro-jihad, to fiercely seeking personal jihad (and noting the violent jihad espoused by Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden and his ilk is a shortcut to heaven compared to the much tougher task of changing yourself).
The writing is at times almost florid, though the evocativeness of the language pulled me into the stories rather than distracting from them. This could feel like a novel if it weren't so disturbingly real. While ultimately this is a hopeful book, several stories are paranoia-inducing. Zeddy's account is a chilling reminder that we as a nation are not safe. Remember when Pakistan got so upset after we took it upon ourselves to kill Osama bin Laden? Remember how bin Laden was found in Abbottabad, a town that also just coincidentally a Pakistani military garrison town and home to its military academy? Zeddy's account makes it clear bin Laden's whereabouts weren't so coincidental and Obama's decision to not alert our "allies" was a necessary one. His is by far the most frightening account as it reveals how deeply terrorists have burrowed into the government of a nuclear power.
The six men profiled come from a very different culture, and while Ballen shows us that culture and the impact it has on these men, he also highlights their humanity, those common drives that we all share: for love, acceptance, security, redemption. It is a testament to the power of empathy and friendship that this American Jew can gain access to and provide such an insightful set of accounts.
This book was provided by a Goodreads give away.
March 23, 2015
This is a really extraordinary book. The author, a Jewish American, sits down with those who hate him most, radical Islamic terrorists, and attempts something so simple yet completely dangerous- listens to their stories. Why become a jihadi? The short answer- the belief you get a fast track to a heaven with “77 virgins” when faced with the harsh reality of a 50% unemployment rate for all men under the age of 25 in Saudi Arabia. The more complex answer- growing up in a culture whose ideals of collective identity, personal sublimation, and unquestioning faith are in direct opposition to American ideals of freedom, achievement, and individuality- especially if you grow up with family dynamics that compromise happiness (arranged marriages, experimenting with drugs and shaming your family, etc.). You can escape all that by becoming a jihadi which promises an afterlife full of every unfulfilled wish in your present life. But why all the hate directed towards those infidel Americans? It’s fascinating that when the author (who founded a non-profit called Terror Free America) polled Saudis, he found that “the highest priorities Saudis had for their country were a free press, elections, freedom of speech—in other words, democracy. Yet the policy of the United States that Saudis hated the most, even beyond what they viewed as unconditional support for Israel, was America trying to promote its own vision of democracy in the Middle East.” They basically have a secret love turned to hate relationship with America. Lasting change must come from their vision. Can we change this hatred by some nice one to one, face to face relationships with terrorists? The author accomplishes some amazing feats in building relationships with people who look at him as an enemy to be killed, but the author also warns that - “Complacency on our part against people who are dedicated to nothing less than the genocide of Americans would be the gravest mistake we can make—one from which there is no turning back. At the same time, it’s a deadly mistake to draw a picture of our enemies too broadly. They are, in fact, a small group that can be isolated and defeated.” It’s also really scary to know that some terrorists who come from royal families have tons of money from Saudi oil and could purchase nuclear weapons at the drop of a hat. Yes, let’s try to understand one another, but please, let’s not piss them off any further!
July 29, 2012
When my husband is reading something he really likes, he often reads me pages of it out loud. I love it. My own personal book on tape (automatic shut off when I fall asleep).
I haven't fallen asleep to this book.
The author, a terrorism expert, decided he wanted to understand these guys. He got to know Al Qaeda terrorists, interviewing them in depth, and this book is the result.
The first couple chapters seem as they're going to be typical. In the first chapter, a young Saudi Arabian's father mocks him for being effeminate. The kid quits high school, and joins up with his cousin's gang of cool, young guys. After seeing a tape of the humiliation of Muslim men at Abu Ghairb, the the kid decides to make something of his life, and join Al Qaeda. The organization treats him even worse than his father did. He gets no training, just hangs out, but at last he's got an assignment: to drive a heavy truck carrying gas to Baghdad for Al Qaeda in Iraq. The kid doesn't know how to drive. No problem, they tell him - we'll send someone along with you who does. He'll show you how. But the kid doesn't know the route. No problem, they tell him - we'll send someone along with you who does. When they reach Baghdad, the other two guys get out, tell him to drive the truck over there - straight down the street - and park it. He does so and before he can get out the other two blow up the truck with a remote device. Strangers save the kid, and the Americans save his life with dozens of surgeries.
The chapters all tell similar, horrifying yet revealing tales about dysfunctional families within a dysfunctional society where families sell off desirable daughters as fourth wives to old men, where women are powerless, where religion has been twisted into the human shapes of power and hatred and abuse. As my husband said after Chapter 2: So far Arab culture is 0 for 2.
It's also well written, with chapters that go down easier than a lot of fiction. Too bad this isn't fiction.
I've read some criticism that the author is a right-winger. Maybe, but there's a lot of implied criticism over us going into the boondoggle in Iraq - as in the story above, showing what a good recruitment tool Abu Ghraib was.
Later chapters include characters who are wholly despicable and without any respect for life.
Thanks to Firstreads for this book.
I haven't fallen asleep to this book.
The author, a terrorism expert, decided he wanted to understand these guys. He got to know Al Qaeda terrorists, interviewing them in depth, and this book is the result.
The first couple chapters seem as they're going to be typical. In the first chapter, a young Saudi Arabian's father mocks him for being effeminate. The kid quits high school, and joins up with his cousin's gang of cool, young guys. After seeing a tape of the humiliation of Muslim men at Abu Ghairb, the the kid decides to make something of his life, and join Al Qaeda. The organization treats him even worse than his father did. He gets no training, just hangs out, but at last he's got an assignment: to drive a heavy truck carrying gas to Baghdad for Al Qaeda in Iraq. The kid doesn't know how to drive. No problem, they tell him - we'll send someone along with you who does. He'll show you how. But the kid doesn't know the route. No problem, they tell him - we'll send someone along with you who does. When they reach Baghdad, the other two guys get out, tell him to drive the truck over there - straight down the street - and park it. He does so and before he can get out the other two blow up the truck with a remote device. Strangers save the kid, and the Americans save his life with dozens of surgeries.
The chapters all tell similar, horrifying yet revealing tales about dysfunctional families within a dysfunctional society where families sell off desirable daughters as fourth wives to old men, where women are powerless, where religion has been twisted into the human shapes of power and hatred and abuse. As my husband said after Chapter 2: So far Arab culture is 0 for 2.
It's also well written, with chapters that go down easier than a lot of fiction. Too bad this isn't fiction.
I've read some criticism that the author is a right-winger. Maybe, but there's a lot of implied criticism over us going into the boondoggle in Iraq - as in the story above, showing what a good recruitment tool Abu Ghraib was.
Later chapters include characters who are wholly despicable and without any respect for life.
Thanks to Firstreads for this book.
December 5, 2011
When I received this book from Goodreads I was excited, I was looking forward to getting an in depth examination of Islamic terrorists and why they feel that terrorism is the only option. Ballen's book 'Terrorists in Love' tells the story of six Islamic radicals and is based on his interviews with the terrorists coupled with some research into their claims. Unfortunately, for me, the book missed it's mark. I was expecting something somewhat academic so that the story told about the six radicals felt real and unbiased. Instead Ballen appears to 'dumb down' the stories. All stories are written as though the Islamic radical was telling it, but the cadence is almost identical throughout the narrative, suggesting that the story was strongly edited by Ken Ballen instead. In addition, there are aspects of the story that can not be verified (and this is alluded to at the end of the narrative) but yet the bulk of the story is written as though the story was true. These idiosyncrasies combined tend to make me leery of the validity of the book regardless of the author's credentials or what he claims he researched. All in all I felt like the book was an effort in propaganda instead of informing the reader's about the whys and how someone decides to enter into a radical doctrine.
That being said, not all of the stories shared by Ballen end with the terrorist saying that they have learned their lesson and that America treated them better in the end than their terrorist group; some of the terrorists still claim to hate the Western world. So ultimately, to read or not to read? I guess that depends on what your looking for. If you want an academic view this is not the book to read despite Ballen claiming it is based on interviews and research. If you want a quick look at why six selected radicals joined their radical group of choice, it may be worth a whirl.
That being said, not all of the stories shared by Ballen end with the terrorist saying that they have learned their lesson and that America treated them better in the end than their terrorist group; some of the terrorists still claim to hate the Western world. So ultimately, to read or not to read? I guess that depends on what your looking for. If you want an academic view this is not the book to read despite Ballen claiming it is based on interviews and research. If you want a quick look at why six selected radicals joined their radical group of choice, it may be worth a whirl.
December 6, 2011
When you read about the first terrorist, Ahmad, and trace his journey forward with his friend, Abel, as he leaves his family and is pulled into the movement, bells begin to go off the second he is told to "not tell anyone," which, of course, is meant to not tell his family or anyone who may be able to warn him of the dangers involved with a "secret" mission. When he gives over his allegiance after being shown horrors and in the consequential state of shock persuaded, without access to outside counsel, that he must fight this injustice, he has no one to turn too (by design, of course). The sense of isolation and disruption of familiar surroundings that become the next part of the story, for anyone but the very young, bring a feeling of dread as the pages turn. The realization of the techniques of producing a "suicide" bomber chills the heart of any parent or even unsuspecting child who may be fortunate to read the account. This story is one that needs to be told to all.
There is much to be learned by reading the rest of the accounts and even some to give some optimism to our concern. This is the first time I have heard the phrase "seemingly easy and glamorous path" that radical Islam presents to adherents. I find that a very astute proclamation for just what the lie they perpetrate really is. This is often the basis of radicalism in any religious movement in any religion. We, even as Christians, should give heed in our own element beyond the concern we have for the protection of our national identity that in our fear of this present threat we do not fall victim to the lure of radicalism.
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